Probe control method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are a probe control method and apparatus and an ultrasound system which apply a mounting signal used to sense a mounting status of a probe, detect the mounting signal transferred through a cable, and automatically activate/deactivate the probe according to a change in a sensed mounting status.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/457,013, filed on Aug. 11, 2014 which in turn claims thebenefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0095609, filed on Aug.12, 2013, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures ofwhich are incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

One or more embodiments of the present invention relate to a probecontrol method and apparatus for actively controlling a probe includedin an ultrasound diagnostic system.

2. Description of the Related Art

Ultrasound diagnostic apparatuses transmit an ultrasound signal(generally having a frequency of 20 kHz or more) to an internal part ofan object by using a probe, and obtain an image of the internal part ofthe object by using information of an echo signal reflected from theobject. In particular, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatuses are usedfor medical purposes such as inspecting the inner area of an object,detecting a foreign material in a body, and assessing an injury. Theultrasound diagnostic apparatuses have a higher stability thandiagnostic apparatuses using X-rays, display an image in real time, andare safe because there is no exposure to radioactivity, and thus, may bewidely used along with other image diagnostic apparatuses.

An image (hereinafter referred to as an ultrasound image) obtained froman ultrasound diagnostic apparatus may be displayed by the ultrasounddiagnostic apparatus, or may be stored in a storage medium and displayedby another image display device. For example, a size of an ultrasoundimage may be reduced by a portable terminal, a portable electronicdevice, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet personal computer(PC), or the like, and the ultrasound image may be displayed on ascreen.

Ultrasound diagnostic apparatuses may include one or more probes thatscan an object. That is, a user of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatusactivates one probe, and diagnoses an object by using an ultrasoundimage obtained from the activated probe.

When additional equipment is mounted on a probe so as to controlactivation of the probe, the management cost of the probe increases, andmoreover, a compatibility problem occurs between various kinds of probesmanufactured based on different standards. In addition, when upgrading aprobe, an additional cost is incurred for manufacturing and managingadditional equipment suitable for a new probe.

SUMMARY

One or more embodiments of the present invention include a probe controlmethod and apparatus for actively activating a probe, used to diagnosean object, among a plurality of probes included in an ultrasound system.

One or more embodiments of the present invention include an ultrasoundsystem including the probe control apparatus.

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description whichfollows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may belearned by practice of the presented embodiments.

According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a probecontrol apparatus includes: a signal detector that receivesidentification information of a probe through a cable of the probe, anddetects a mounting signal having a predetermined pattern, which isapplied to the probe and transferred through the cable, from near aholder with the probe mounted thereon; a sensor that senses a change ina mounting status of the probe recognized with the identificationinformation, on a basis of the detected mounting signal; and acontroller that controls the recognized probe to be activated ordeactivated according to the change in the mounting status.

The identification information may include information about at leastone of a kind and specification of the probe.

The mounting status may be a first status in which the probe is mountedon the holder or a second status in which the probe is separated fromthe holder.

The mounting signal may be an induced current that is generated byelectromagnetic induction and flows through the cable.

A frequency of the mounting signal may be a frequency other than afrequency band used to generate an ultrasound image and a frequency bandused to acquire Doppler data.

The signal detector may include a comparator that compares a storedreference signal and the detected mounting signal.

The signal detector may further include: an amplifier that amplifies thedetected mounting signal; and a rectifier that rectifies the amplifiedmounting signal.

The signal detector may detect the mounting signal which is appliedduring a section between a plurality of ultrasound signals transmittedto an object by the probe.

The probe control apparatus may include a plurality of signal detectorsthat match a plurality of probes, respectively.

The controller may control the plurality of probes in an order ofchanged mounting signal or according to predetermined priorities.

The signal detector may be provided at a port in which the cable isconnected to the probe control apparatus.

The probe control apparatus may further include a signal transmitterthat applies the mounting signal to the probe, wherein the signaltransmitter is provided in at least one of the holder, a housing, and arest on which the probe is mounted.

According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a probecontrol method includes: receiving identification information of a probethrough a cable of the probe; detecting a mounting signal having apredetermined pattern, which is applied to the probe and transferredthrough the cable, from near a holder with the probe mounted thereon;sensing a change in a mounting status of the probe recognized with theidentification information, on a basis of the detected mounting signal;and controlling the recognized probe to be activated or deactivatedaccording to the change in the mounting status.

According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, anultrasound diagnostic system comprising the probe control apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects will become apparent and more readilyappreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a probecontrol apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a probecontrol apparatus according to another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a probecontrol apparatus according to another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a signaldetector according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a probe control method according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an ultrasound diagnostic systemincluding a probe control apparatus according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 7A to 7C are diagrams for describing an operation of a probecontrol apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams for describing a time section in which amounting signal is applied, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIGS. 9A to 9C are diagrams for describing an example of controlling aplurality of probes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of whichare illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like referencenumerals refer to the like elements throughout. In this regard, thepresent embodiments may have different forms and should not be construedas being limited to the descriptions set forth herein. Accordingly, theembodiments are merely described below, by referring to the figures, toexplain aspects of the present description. As used herein, the term“and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items. Expressions such as “at least one of,” whenpreceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and donot modify the individual elements of the list.

The terms used in the present invention have been selected as generalterms widely used at present, in consideration of the functions of thepresent invention, but may be altered according to the intent of anoperator skilled in the art, conventional practice, or introduction ofnew technology. Also, if a term is arbitrarily selected by the applicantin a specific case, a meaning of the term in this specific case will bedescribed in detail in a corresponding description portion of thepresent invention. Therefore, the terms should be defined on the basisof the entire content of this specification instead of a simple name ofeach of the terms.

In the disclosure below, when it is described that one device comprises(or includes or has) some elements, it should be understood that thedevice may comprise (or include or has) only those elements, or it maycomprise (or include or have) other elements as well as those elementsif there is no specific limitation. Moreover, each term such as “ . . .unit”, “ . . . apparatus” and “module” described in specificationdenotes an element for performing at least one function or operation,and may be implemented via hardware, software, or a combination ofhardware and software.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described indetail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a probecontrol apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. Referring to FIG. 1, the probe control apparatus 100according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a signaldetector 110, a sensor 120, and a controller 130. The probe controlapparatus 100 may further include another general-purpose element inaddition to the elements of FIG. 1.

The probe control apparatus 100 controls activation or deactivation ofone or more probes 105 included in an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus200. That is, the probe control apparatus 100 may activate a probe 105which a user desires to use for transmitting an ultrasound signal to anobject and receiving an echo signal from the object, or may deactivate aprobe 105 which is being used for diagnosing an object.

The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 200 transmits an ultrasound signalto an object through the probe 105, receives an echo signal from theobject, and diagnoses the object by using an ultrasound image generatedbased on the received echo signal. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the probecontrol apparatus 100 may be provided in the ultrasound diagnosticapparatus 200. Hereinafter, the elements included in the probe controlapparatus 100 will be described in detail.

The signal detector 110 receives identification information through acable 107 of the probe 105, and detects a mounting signal from theprobe. The signal detector 110 may comprise identification informationdetector which receives the identification information and a mountingsignal detector detects the mounting signal. The mounting signaldetector may be implemented at or near a holder of a probe. Theidentification information may include information indicating a kind andspecification of the probe 105, and for example, may include informationabout any one kind of a linear array probe, a curvilinear array probe, aconvex array probe, and a phased array probe. The identificationinformation may be continuously transferred from the probe 105 to theprobe control apparatus 100 through the cable 107, and the signaldetector 110 may receive the identification information through thecable 107.

Moreover, the signal detector 110 detects a mounting signal used todetermine a mounting status of the probe 105. The signal detector 110may detect the mounting signal through various methods, and for example,may detect the mounting signal that is an electrical (analog or digital)signal from the probe. According to an embodiment, the mounting signalmay be a signal detected from the probe 105 according to a particulartest operation of the probe.

The particular test operation of the probe may mean, but not limited to,an ultrasound signal transmission from the probe 105. The particulartest operation of the probe may mean any kind of usage of the probe 105.The mounting signal may be an ultrasound signal transmitted from theprobe 105. The mounting signal may be an Electro-Magnetic Interference(EMI) signal generated and detected at the probe 105 according to theparticular test operation of the probe 105. According to an embodiment,the particular test operation may mean a repeated transmission of a testsignal from the probe 105. The test signal may be transmittedperiodically with particular time interval or may be transmittedrandomly or occasionally. Or, the test signal may be continuouslytransmitted from the probe 105. The test signal may be transmittedregardless of activation and deactivation of the probe 105. The testsignal may be transmitted from the probe regardless of distance betweenthe probe and a holder where the probe is mounted.

Before describing the mounting signal, the mounting status of the probe105 will be first described. The probe 105 may have two mountingstatuses. That is, the mounting status of the probe 105 may be one of afirst status in which the probe 105 is mounted on a holder and a secondstatus in which the probe 105 is separated from the holder. In detail,in the first status, the probe 105 may be kept or provided in variouskinds of physical equipment such as a holder, a housing, and a rest, andin the second status, when a user of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus200 uses the probe 105, the probe 105 may be separated from theequipment by a certain distance or more, and may scan an object.

The mounting signal is a signal indicating whether the mounting statusof the probe 105 is the first status or the second status, and may havea predetermined pattern. That is, the mounting signal may be obtainedfrom the probe 105, and may be a physical/electrical signal havingvarious predetermined patterns recognizable by the signal detector 110.

According to an embodiment, the mounting signal may be an inducedcurrent using electromagnetic induction. That is, the mounting signal isan induced current that is generated by electromagnetic induction causedby a magnetic field changed near the probe 105, and the signal detector110 may detect an induced current as the mounting signal.

In detecting the mounting signal, the signal detector 110 may detect asignal level of the mounting signal. Specifically, the signal detector110 may detect a signal level of 1 when the mounting signal is detectedfrom the probe 105, and when the mounting signal is not detected fromthe probe 105, the signal detector 110 may detect a signal level of 0.

The signal detector 110 may further include various elements forefficiently detecting the mounting signal. According to an embodiment,the signal detector 110 may further include a comparator that comparesan intensity of a detected mounting signal with a previously storedreference signal. According to another embodiment, the signal detector110 may include an amplifier that amplifies a detected mounting signaland a rectifier that rectifies the amplified signal. The comparator,amplifier and rectifier may be included in the mounting signal detectorin the signal detector 110. A detailed embodiment will be described withreference to FIG. 4.

The signal detector 110 may be provided in a port, in which the cable107 of the probe 105 is connected to the probe control apparatus 100, orin a holder on which the probe 105 is mounted. The embodiment will bedescribed in detail with reference to FIG. 6.

The sensor 120 senses a mounting status of the probe 105 and a change inthe mounting status. First, the sensor 120 checks a probe 105 of which achange in a mounting status is intended to be sensed, on the basis ofidentification information received by the signal detector 110. That is,the sensor 120 may check whether the probe 105, from which theidentification information and the mounting signal are received, is alinear array probe or a phased array probe, and determine whether thechecked probe 105 is a probe to be activated or deactivated.

Subsequently, the sensor 120 senses a current mounting status of thechecked probe 105 (which is checked according to the identificationinformation) and a change in the current mounting status, on the basisof a mounting signal detected by the signal detector 110. For example,the sensor 120 may detect whether a mounting status of the probe 105 isa first status in which the target probe 105 is mounted on a holder or asecond status in which the target probe 105 is separated from theholder. Also, the sensor 120 may sense a change from the first status tothe second status (or, vice versa).

For example, the sensor 120 may sense a change in a mounting status onthe basis of a signal level of the mounting signal detected by thesignal detector 110. That is, the sensor 120 may sense the mountingstatus of the probe 105 as being the first status when the signal levelof the mounting signal is detected as being 1, and when a signal levelof 0 is detected, the sensor 120 may sense the mounting status of theprobe 105 as being the second status. For another example, the sensor120 may sense the mounting status on the basis of an intensity of themounting signal.

The controller 130 controls an operation of the probe 105 according tothe change in the mounting status. That is, the controller 130 performscontrol in order for one or more probes 105, connected to the ultrasounddiagnostic apparatus 200, to be activated or deactivated. When the probe105 is activated, the probe 105 transmits an ultrasound signal fordiagnosing an object, receives an echo signal, and transfers the echosignal to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 200. When the probe 105 isdeactivated, the probe 105 stops transmission of the ultrasound signaluntil the probe 105 is again activated.

In controlling a target probe 105, the controller 130 may control thetarget probe 105 which is checked by the sensor 120 on the basis ofidentification information received by the signal detector 110. That is,the controller 130 may check a probe which is changed in a mountingstatus thereof among a plurality of probes connected to the ultrasounddiagnostic apparatus 200, and control the checked probe.

When the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 200 includes a plurality of theprobes 150, the controller 130 may perform control to activate ordeactivate the plurality of probes 150, on the basis of identificationinformation and a mounting signal of each of the plurality of probes105. An embodiment of the plurality of probes 105 will be described withreference to FIG. 3.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a probecontrol apparatus 100 according to another embodiment of the presentinvention. In FIG. 2, in addition to the probe control apparatus 100described above with reference to FIG. 1, a signal transmitter 140 isillustrated, and a description repetitive of FIG. 1 is not provided.

The signal transmitter 140 applies a mounting signal to the probe 105 orthe cable 107 of the probe 105. The mounting signal, as described above,may denote a physical/electrical signal having a predetermined patternused to sense a mounting status of the probe 105. The mounting signalaccording to an embodiment may be an induced current generated byelectromagnetic induction, and may be a signal having a predeterminedpattern. An applied mounting signal to the probe may be transmittedwirelessly or in wire from the probe 105 and detected by the signaldetector 110. The mounting signal transmitted from the probe 105 may begenerated or caused by the mounting signal applied to the probe. Themounting signal applied to the probe 105 may be different form or typefrom the mounting signal transmitted from the probe 105. The mountingsignal applied to the probe 105 may be any signal including aninstruction to generate or cause a test signal to be transmitted fromthe probe 105 toward an external direction of the probe 105.

According to another embodiment, when the signal transmitter 140 appliesa mounting signal to the cable 107, a frequency of the mounting signalmay be a frequency other than a frequency band used for an ultrasounddiagnosis. That is, the signal transmitter 140 may apply a mountingsignal, having a frequency other than a frequency band used to generatean ultrasound image and a frequency band used to acquire Doppler data,to the cable 107. Therefore, an influence of the mounting signal isminimized on an operation in which the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus200 generates and displays an ultrasound image or Doppler image of anobject.

For example, a mounting signal may have a frequency other than afrequency band of about 1 kHz to about 44 kHz used to generate anultrasound image and a frequency band of about 1 MHz to about 25 MHzused to acquire Doppler data. That is, the mounting signal may be aradio frequency (RF) signal having a frequency band between about 44 kHzto 1 MHz or a frequency of 25 MHz or more. The above-described numericalvalues of the frequency band are merely an example for convenience ofdescription, and the frequency of the mounting signal is not limited tothe above-described frequency.

According to another embodiment, the signal transmitter 140 may applythe mounting signal during a section between a plurality of ultrasoundsignals which are transmitted for diagnosing an object by the probe 105.That is, when the probe 105 repeatedly transmits an ultrasound signalused to generate an ultrasound image, the signal transmitter 140 mayapply the mounting signal during the section between the plurality ofultrasound signals, namely, a section in which transmission of theultrasound signal is transmitted. The embodiment will be described indetail with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a probecontrol apparatus 100 according to another embodiment of the presentinvention. An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 200 of FIG. 3 may includea plurality of probes 107 a to 107 d, and the probe control apparatus100 may be provided inside or outside the ultrasound diagnosticapparatus 200. In FIG. 3, a description repetitive of FIG. 1 is notprovided.

The probe control apparatus 100 of FIG. 3 may include a signal detector110 corresponding to each of the four probes 107 a to 107 d connected tothe ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 200. That is, the probe controlapparatus 100 may include the signal detectors 110 equal to the numberof probes 107 a to 107 d such that the signal detectors 110 match therespective probes 107 a to 107 d.

Therefore, the probe control apparatus 100 may separately sense mountingstatuses of the four probes 107 a to 107 d. That is, the probe controlapparatus 100 may sense a mounting status of the first probe 107 a onthe basis of a first mounting signal which is detected by the signaldetector 110 from the first probe 107 a. Similarly, the probe controlapparatus 100 may sense mounting statuses of the second to fourth probes107 b to 107 d on the basis of second to fourth mounting signals whichare detected by the signal detector 110 from second to fourth probes 107b to 107 d, respectively.

Subsequently, a controller 130 of the probe control apparatus 100 mayseparately control and activate/deactivate the four probes 107 a to 107d. For example, when the first probe 107 a is in a non-mounting status(the second status), that is, it is separated from a holder, the probecontrol apparatus 100 may activate the first probe 107 a, therebyallowing the first probe 107 a to transmit an ultrasound signal.Subsequently, when a mounting status of the third probe 107 c is changedto the non-mounting status (the second status), the probe controlapparatus 100 may activate the third probe 107 c, thereby allowing thethird probe 107 c to transmit an ultrasound signal.

At this time, the probe control apparatus 100 may activate the thirdprobe 107 c and simultaneously deactivate the first probe 107 a.Alternatively, when a user mounts the first probe 107 a on the holderbefore the mounting status of the third probe 107 c is changed to thenon-mounting status, the probe control apparatus 100 may deactivate thefirst probe 107 a according to a change in the mounting status of thefirst probe 107 a.

The signal detector 110 simultaneously receives a mounting signal andidentification information, and thus, as described above with referenceto FIG. 1, a sensor 120 may determine a probe of which a mounting statusis changed. Therefore, the controller 130 may controlactivation/deactivation of the determined target probe. For example,when it is determined based on the received identification informationand mounting signal that a mounting status of a convex array probe ischanged to the second status when the convex array probe is separatedfrom the holder, the controller 130 may activate the convex array probe.

According to another embodiment, the probe control apparatus 100 maycontrol a plurality of probes in the order of changed mounting statusesor according to predetermined priorities. The embodiment will bedescribed in detail with reference to FIGS. 9A to 9C.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a signaldetector 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Thesignal detector 110 according to an embodiment may include at least oneof an amplifier 112, a rectifier 114, and a comparator 116.

The amplifier 112 amplifies a mounting signal which is received from aprobe. That is, it has been described above that the signal transmitter140 applies the mounting signal having the frequency other than thefrequency band used to generate the ultrasound image or the Dopplerdata, and thus, an influence of the mounting signal on an ultrasounddiagnosis is minimized.

In addition, the signal transmitter 140 may adjust an intensity of themounting signal in addition to the frequency, thus reducing theinfluence of the mounting signal on the ultrasound diagnosis. That is,the signal transmitter 140 may apply a mounting signal having arelatively weak intensity compared to various kinds of ultrasoundsignals, echo signals, and Doppler signals used for the ultrasounddiagnosis. The signal transmitter 140 may apply a mounting signal havinga predetermined intensity. The amplifier 112 of FIG. 4 may amplify amounting signal in order for the mounting signal to be efficientlydetected.

The rectifier 114 rectifies the mounting signal, and transfers therectified mounting signal to the comparator 116. That is, when themounting signal is an alternating current (AC) current, the rectifier114 may rectify the mounting signal to convert the mounting signal intoa direct current (DC) current. The rectifier 114 may rectify themounting signal by using a half wave rectifier or a full wave rectifier,and transfer the rectified mounting signal to the comparator 116.

The comparator 116 compares the mounting signal with a stored referencesignal 118. For example, the comparator 116 may compare the intensity ofthe mounting signal with an intensity of the reference signal 118 todetermine whether a difference value between the intensities of the twosignals is within a certain range. When the difference value between theintensities of the two signals is within the certain range, thecomparator 116 may determine the mounting signal, transferred throughthe cable of the probe, as being successfully detected. On the otherhand, when the difference value between the intensities of the twosignals is out of the certain range, the comparator 116 may determinethe mounting signal as not being detected.

Hereinafter, a method that controls activation or deactivation of aprobe by using the elements included in the probe control apparatus 100will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a probe control method according toan embodiment of the present invention. In the flowchart of FIG. 5, themethod includes a plurality of operations that are sequentiallyperformed in the probe control apparatus 100, the signal transmitter140, the signal detector 110, the sensor 120, and the controller 130.Therefore, although details are not described below, it can beunderstood that the above description on the elements of FIGS. 1 to 4may be applied to the flowchart of FIG. 5.

In operation S510, the probe control apparatus 100 receivesidentification information of a probe through a cable. The receivedidentification information may include a kind and specification of theprobe, and the probe control apparatus 100 may receive theidentification information from the probe through a port to which thecable of the probe is connected. The received identification informationwhich is received in operation S510 may be used, along with a mountingsignal, for the probe control apparatus 100 to sense a mounting statusof the probe.

In operation S530, the probe control apparatus 100 detects the mountingsignal from a probe. According to an embodiment, the probe controlapparatus 100 may amplify and rectify the mounting signal received fromthe probe, and compare the rectified mounting signal with apredetermined reference signal, thereby efficiently detecting themounting signal. The mounting signal which is detected in operation S530may be detected by the signal detector 110. The signal detector 110 maybe implemented at the holder where the probe 105 is mounted on.

The mounting signal may be an induced current generated byelectromagnetic induction as described above with reference to FIG. 1,and may be a physical/electrical signal having a predetermined pattern.The probe control apparatus 100 may detect the mounting signal on thebasis of a received signal and the predetermined pattern.

The mounting signal which is detected in operation S530, although notshown in FIG. 5, may be applied by the signal transmitter of the probecontrol apparatus 100. That is, the probe control apparatus 100 mayapply the mounting signal to the probe or the cable of the probe. Also,the mounting signal may be a signal having a frequency other than afrequency band used for an ultrasound diagnosis, and may be appliedduring a section between a plurality of repeated ultrasound signals.

In operation S550, the probe control apparatus 100 checks a currentmounting status, and senses a change in the mounting status of theprobe. That is, the probe control apparatus 100 may determine whetherthe probe checked with the identification information is in the firststatus in which the probe is mounted on the holder or the second statusseparated from the holder for diagnosing an object, on the basis of themounting signal. Further, the probe control apparatus 100 may sense thatthe mounting status is changed from the first status to the secondstatus, according to an intensity change of the mounting signal.

In operation S570, the probe control apparatus 100 actively controls theprobe according to a change in the mounting status. That is, when aprobe separated from the holder for diagnosing the object is sensed inoperation S550, the probe control apparatus 100 may control the sensedprobe to be activated. On the other hand, when use of the probe controlapparatus 100 is ended and a probed mounted on the holder is sensed, theprobe control apparatus 100 may control the sensed probe to bedeactivated.

Therefore, although separate additional equipment is not added on theprobe, the probe control apparatus 100 may automaticallyactivate/deactivate the probe, and actively control the probe. Also, auser of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 200 and probe controlapparatus 100 may not perform unnecessary manipulation, such asselecting a probe desiring to activate a user interface, each time aprobe for diagnosing the object is changed.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an ultrasound diagnostic systemincluding the probe control apparatus 100 according to an embodiment ofthe present invention. The ultrasound diagnostic system 500 of FIG. 6may include the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 200 with the probecontrol apparatus 100 provided therein, one or more probes 105, and acable 107 connected to each of the probes 105.

In the ultrasound diagnostic system 500 of FIG. 6, the probe 105 may bemounted on the holder 210, and a space through which the cable 107passes may be provided at a bottom of a holder 210. A type of the holder210 illustrated in FIG. 6 is merely a simple example, and the probe 105may be kept in different members such as a housing and a rest, inaddition to the holder 210. The cable 107 of the probe 105 is connectedto the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 200 through a port 220 which isprovided at the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 200.

The signal transmitter 140 and signal detector 110 of the probe controlapparatus 100 may be respectively provided at different positions in theholder 210 or port 220 of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 200. Thatis, when the signal transmitter 140 according to an embodiment isprovided near the holder 210, the signal detector 110 may be providednear the port 220, and a case opposite thereto may be considered.According to an embodiment, signal transmitter 140 may be provided atthe port 220 and the signal detector 110 may be provided at the holder210.

For example, to provide a detailed description on an embodiment in whichthe signal transmitter 140 or the signal detector 110 is provided nearthe holder 210, the signal transmitter 140 or the signal detector 110may be provided at the bottom of the holder 210 or at a side surface ofthe ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 200 with the holder 210 adheredthereto. That is, the signal transmitter 140 or the signal detector 110may be provided at a position which is sufficiently close to apply amounting signal to the cable 107 of the probe near the holder 210.

According to another embodiment, the signal transmitter 140 or thesignal detector 110 may be provided near the port 220. That is, thesignal transmitter 140 or the signal detector 110 may be provided atvarious positions which enable a connection of the cable 107 such as asignal pin, a ground pin, or a power pin, or a PSA pin of the port 220of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 200.

FIGS. 7A to 7C are diagrams for describing an operation of the probecontrol apparatus 100 according to another embodiment of the presentinvention. FIGS. 7A to 7C are diagrams for describing an operation inwhich the probe control apparatus 100 receives identificationinformation, detects a mounting signal, and senses a change in amounting status of the probe 105. The processes and manners of receivingidentification information, detecting a mounting signal, and sensing achange in a mounting status of the probe 105 in FIGS. 7A to 7C may besimilar or different from the processes and manners described withrespect to FIGS. 1 through 6.

In FIG. 7A, the probe 105 is in the first status in which the probe 105is kept in the holder, the housing, or the rest. The signal transmitter140 of the probe control apparatus 100 applies a mounting signal to thecable 107 of the probe 105, and the signal detector 110 detects themounting signal that is an induced current transferred through the cable107.

When the cable 107 is an optical cable that converts an electricalsignal into a ray signal, the signal transmitter 140 may not directlyapply the mounting signal to the cable 107 but may apply the mountingsignal to a head portion of the probe 105. The probe 105 mayanalog-digital-convert the applied mounting signal to transmit thedigital-converted mounting signal to the cable 107, and the signaldetector 110 may detect the digital-converted mounting signal.

In FIG. 7B, in order to diagnose an object by using the probe 105 ofwhich a mounting status is the first status, a user of the ultrasounddiagnostic apparatus 200 separates the probe 105 from the rest. A time,at which the probe 105 is separated from the holder (the second status)and thus the mounting signal is not applied to the cable 107, isreferred to as to.

FIG. 7C illustrates changing of the mounting status of the probe 105from the first status to the second status at the time t0, that is,changing of a signal level of a detected mounting signal. That is,before the time t0, the probe control apparatus 100 detects a mountingsignal having a signal level of 1 transferred through the cable 107.When the probe 105 is separated from the holder at the time t0, thecable 107 is separated up to a position corresponding to a distancewhich is not sufficient for the signal transmitter 140 to apply themounting signal. Therefore, the signal level of the detected mountingsignal is shown as 0.

The signal detector 110 continuously receives identification informationof the probe 105, separately from a change in the signal level of themounting signal illustrated in FIGS. 7A to 7C. That is, the signaldetector 110 may continuously receive the identification information ofthe probe 105 through the cable, separately from that the signal levelof the mounting signal is changed according to a change in a distancebetween the signal transmitter 140 and the cable 107. Therefore, whenthe level of the mounting signal of the probe 105 determined based onthe identification information is changed, the probe control apparatus100 may activate or deactivate a corresponding probe.

When a mounting signal sensed before the time t0 is not sensed after thetime t0, the probe control apparatus 100 determines that the mountingstatus of the probe 105 is changed, and automatically activates theprobe 105. That is, the probe control apparatus 100 determines that theuser desires to diagnose an object by using the probe 105, andautomatically activates the probe 105 determined based on theidentification information so as to transmit an ultrasound signal.

Unlike the embodiments of FIGS. 7A to 7C, when an activated probe 105 isagain mounted on the holder and a status thereof is changed to the firststatus (the mounting status), the probe control apparatus 100 may detecta mounting signal having a signal level of 1. Therefore, the probecontrol apparatus 100 may automatically deactivate a target probe 105determined based on identification information.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams for describing a time section in which amounting signal is applied, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 8A shows a plurality of ultrasound signals which aretransmitted to an object by a probe. FIG. 8B shows a mounting signalapplied by the probe control apparatus 100.

The probe transmits a plurality of ultrasound signals (118, 256, ormore), and receives an echo signal to generate an ultrasound imagecorresponding to one frame. That is, the probe focuses and transmits aplurality of ultrasound signals, for generating an ultrasound image.

In FIG. 8A, a section 710 shows a one-time ultrasound signal transmittedby the probe. That is, the probe transmits the ultrasound signal duringa section 720, stops transmission of the ultrasound signal during asection 730, and transmits an ultrasound signal used to form a scan lineafter the section 730.

In FIG. 8B, the probe control apparatus 100 may apply a mounting signalduring a section 740 that is a section between a plurality of ultrasoundsignals transmitted by the probe. That is, the probe control apparatus100 may be synchronized with a clock of the ultrasound diagnosticapparatus 200 and probe, and may apply the mounting signal during thesection 740 in which the probe stops transmission of the ultrasoundsignal.

When a mounting status of the probe is the first status in which theprobe is mounted on the holder, the probe does not transmit anultrasound signal, and thus, the probe control apparatus 100 may apply amounting signal to a cable irrespective of the probe. On the other hand,when the probe is activated and transmit an ultrasound signal, the probecontrol apparatus 100 may apply a mounting signal during a sectionbetween a plurality of repeated ultrasound signals. Therefore, the probecontrol apparatus 100 minimizes an influence of the mounting signal onthe ultrasound signal transmitted by the probe.

FIGS. 9A to 9C show shows diagrams for describing an example ofcontrolling a plurality of probes according to embodiments of thepresent invention. FIGS. 9A to 9C show tables 810, 820, and 830 fordescribing two embodiments in which the probe control apparatus 100controls a plurality of probes.

First, the table 810 shows four probes which are sequentially activated.That is, before a time t1, the probe control apparatus 100 detects fromamong all probes 1 to 4 a mounting signal having a signal level 1. Thatis, the probes 1 to 4 are in the first status (a mounting status) inwhich the probes 1 to 4 are mounted on the respective holders.

At the time t1, the probe control apparatus 100 senses a change in amounting signal of the probe 1. That is, the probe 1 is separated from acorresponding holder, and thus, a signal level of the mounting signal ofthe probe 1 is changed to 0. Subsequently, the respective mountingsignals of the probes 2 to 4 are sequentially changed at times t2, t3and t4. That is, the probes 2 to 4 are also separated from therespective holders.

Finally, at a time t5, the probe control apparatus 100 senses a changein the mounting signal of the probe 2. That is, the probe controlapparatus 100 senses that a signal level of the mounting signal of theprobe 2 is changed to 1. The change in the mounting signal of the probe2 may denote that a user ends the use of the probe 2 and then keeps theprobe 2 in a corresponding holder.

The table 820 is for describing an embodiment in which the probe controlapparatus 100 controls the four probes 1 to 4 in the order of changedmounting signal. That is, the probe control apparatus 100 senses achange of the mounting signal of the probe 1 at the time t1, andcontrols and activates the probe 1.

Subsequently, the signal levels of the respective mounting signals ofthe probes 2 to 4 are respectively changed at the times t2, t3 and t4,and thus, the probe control apparatus 100 sequentially activates theprobes 2 to 4. For example, the probe control apparatus 100 maydeactivate the probe 1 (which was deactivated during an interval fromthe time t1 to the time t2) while activating the probe 2 at the time t2.

The table 830 is for describing an embodiment in which the probe controlapparatus 100 controls the four probes 1 to 4 according to predeterminedpriorities. The table 830 presents an embodiment in which the probe 2 isactivated prior to the probes 1, 3, and 4. Details before the time t3are the same as those in the table 820.

At the time t3, a change in the mounting signal of the probe 3 issensed, but since the probe 2 is prior to the other probes, the probecontrol apparatus 100 performs control to continuously activate theprobe 2. Similarly, even at the time t4, although the probe controlapparatus 100 senses a change in the mounting signal of the probe 4, theprobe control apparatus 100 may activate the probe 2.

At the time t5, a signal level of the probe 2 that is a probe having apriority is sensed as 1. That is, when the use of the probe is ended,the probe control apparatus 100 may perform control to activate theprobes 1, 3 and 4 other than the probe 2 having the priority.

For example, the probe control apparatus 100 may control the probes 1, 3and 4 according to priorities thereof. That is, the use of the probe 2having the foremost priority is ended, the probe control apparatus 100may control the other probes according to subsequent priorities. On theother hand, when only the probe 2 has a foremost priority and the otherprobes have the same priority, the probe control apparatus 100 maycontrol the other probes in the order of changed mounting statuses.

That is, after the time t5 of the table 830, the probe control apparatus100 may activate the probe 4 of which the mounting status is finallychanged to the second status, except the probe 2. The above-describedpriorities listed in the table 830 may be previously stored in the probecontrol apparatus 100 according to selection of the user, and changed inthe middle of diagnosing an object.

The probe control apparatus and method and the ultrasound systemautomatically activate/deactivate the probe even without additionalequipment being mounted on the probe, and thus actively control theprobe. That is, by using the cable of the probe as an antenna, a motionof the probe is automatically sensed and controlled.

Moreover, a user of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 200 and probecontrol apparatus 100 may not perform unnecessary manipulation, such asselecting a probe in order to activate a user interface each time aprobe for diagnosing the object is changed.

In addition, the probe control apparatus and method and the ultrasoundsystem are free of any compatibility problems between various kinds ofprobes, and moreover enhance a performance of the probe, therebypreventing inconvenience when upgrade of a device is necessary. Also,when a problem occurs in the probe control apparatus and the ultrasoundsystem, the probe control apparatus and the ultrasound system may berepaired separately from the probe. Accordingly, the cost formanufacturing and maintaining peripheral equipment of the ultrasoundsystem is reduced, and an inconvenience problem is solved.

It should be understood that the exemplary embodiments described thereinshould be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes oflimitation. Descriptions of features or aspects within each embodimentshould typically be considered as available for other similar featuresor aspects in other embodiments.

While one or more embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed with reference to the figures, it will be understood by thoseof ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and detailsmay be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A probe control apparatus comprising: a signaldetector that receives identification information of a probe through acable of the probe, and detects a mounting signal which is repeatedlytransmitted from the probe and detected by the signal detector accordingto a repeated test operation of the probe; a sensor that senses a changein a mounting status of the probe recognized with the identificationinformation, on a basis of the detected mounting signal; and acontroller that controls the recognized probe to be activated ordeactivated according to the change in the mounting status.
 2. The probecontrol apparatus of claim 1, wherein the identification informationincludes information about at least one of a kind and specification ofthe probe.
 3. The probe control apparatus of claim 1, wherein themounting status is a first status in which the probe is mounted on theholder or a second status in which the probe is separated from theholder.
 4. The probe control apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mountingsignal is at least one of an ultrasound signal and an Electro-MagneticInterference (EMI) signal from the probe.
 5. The probe control apparatusof claim 1, wherein a frequency of the mounting signal is a frequencyother than a frequency band used to generate an ultrasound image and afrequency band used to acquire Doppler data.
 6. The probe controlapparatus of claim 1, wherein the signal detector includes a comparatorthat compares a stored reference signal and the detected mountingsignal.
 7. The probe control apparatus of claim 6, wherein the signaldetector further includes: an amplifier that amplifies the detectedmounting signal; and a rectifier that rectifies the amplified mountingsignal.
 8. The probe control apparatus of claim 1, wherein the signaldetector detects the mounting signal which is applied during a sectionbetween a plurality of ultrasound signals transmitted to an object bythe probe.
 9. The probe control apparatus of claim 1, comprising aplurality of signal detectors that match a plurality of probes,respectively.
 10. The probe control apparatus of claim 9, wherein thecontroller controls the plurality of probes in an order of changedmounting signals or according to predetermined priorities.
 11. The probecontrol apparatus of claim 1, wherein the signal detector is provided ata port in which the cable is connected to the probe control apparatus.12. The probe control apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a signaltransmitter configured to cause the probe to transmit the mountingsignal to a holder of the probe.
 13. An ultrasound diagnostic systemcomprising the probe control apparatus of claim
 1. 14. A probe controlmethod comprising: receiving identification information of a probethrough a cable of the probe; detecting a mounting signal which isrepeatedly transmitted from the probe and detected by the signaldetector according to a repeated test operation of the probe; sensing achange in a mounting status of the probe recognized with theidentification information, on a basis of the detected mounting signal;and controlling the recognized probe to be activated or deactivatedaccording to the change in the mounting status.
 15. The probe controlmethod of claim 14, wherein the identification information includesinformation about at least one of a kind and specification of the probe.16. The probe control method of claim 14, wherein the mounting status isa first status in which the probe is mounted on the holder or a secondstatus in which the probe is separated from the holder.
 17. The probecontrol method of claim 14, wherein the mounting signal is at least oneof an ultrasound signal and an Electro-Magnetic Interference (EMI)signal from the probe.
 18. The probe control method of claim 14, whereina frequency of the mounting signal is a frequency other than a frequencyband used to generate an ultrasound image and a frequency band used toacquire Doppler data.
 19. The probe control method of claim 14, whereinthe detecting includes comparing a stored reference signal and thedetected mounting signal.
 20. The probe control method of claim 19,further comprising: amplifying the detected mounting signal; andrectifying the amplified mounting signal.
 21. The probe control methodof claim 14, wherein the detecting includes detecting the mountingsignal which is applied during a section between a plurality ofultrasound signals transmitted to an object by the probe.
 22. The probecontrol method of claim 14, wherein the receiving and the detecting areperformed by each of a plurality of probes.
 23. The probe control methodof claim 22, wherein the controlling includes controlling the pluralityof probes in an order of changed mounting signal or according topredetermined priorities.
 24. The probe control method of claim 14,wherein the receiving and the detecting are performed at a port in whichthe cable is connected to the probe control apparatus.
 25. The probecontrol method of claim 14, further comprising applying the mountingsignal to the probe in a first form, wherein the mounting signal istransmitted from the probe to a holder of the probe according to theapplying.